Theme parks implement operational changes such as photo verification systems for pass holders, modified dining plans, and updated queue systems to improve security, reduce food waste, and enhance guest flow, which require guests to adapt their visit planning while parks balance standardization across locations with family-friendly considerations.
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2026 Observations and DiscussionAñadido:
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Okay, I think I did this right. I'm so used to Brent taking the controls on these shows that at times when I need to do it, I'm like, am I clicking the right button? I think we're here. We're live.
It looks like we've got some people trickling in to watch us.
>> Okay, let's see.
>> Hi.
>> So, for those that don't know any of us, I'm Bob. We're joined by Sarah, Jamie, Kirk, and Dana and Hector who are living in the future right now.
>> Hiding in the basement in the future.
>> We have a lot of kids. Someone save space.
>> So, if anyone's here watching this, say hello.
Usually, we got some comments.
>> Maybe a quick turnaround. We realized it was going to be 3 weeks in and we hadn't shown up yet.
>> Yeah, things happen and we all get busy.
We have personal lives. So, we do try to do these, you know, second weekend, but you know, there we go. There are the there's all of our comments. Hello everybody. Thanks for >> Thanks for joining us.
So, we are here today to talk the first three weeks about the park, the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between.
>> And the hopeful >> and the hopeful.
>> Hopeful for >> a great 50th season.
>> Great 50th season, which kicks off very, very shortly.
>> Very excited about that.
Oh, what we got? Two weeks, three weeks.
>> Uh, it kicks off on the 29th.
>> 17 days.
>> Oh, count. Don't not counting down at all, are you?
>> Hey, he can do math today.
>> You know, it's Yeah.
>> Just can't work the copier.
>> So, lot of changes this season.
We kind of expected it >> kind of, you know, the first year of new management, new anything. They're kind of feeling out how different the differences in the processes for everything. And uh this year the hammer came down on a lot of things. They made some decisions.
>> Well, a lot of those decisions were already in place at Cedar Fair. Correct.
>> Yes.
Yes.
>> Um I guess >> there's just bringing those processes and systems to all the parks to stay uniform.
>> Yeah, that's I think um inconsistency is probably the biggest complaint >> and um you know is frustrated. Everyone sees a little bit of changes. Um Cedar, from what I read, Cedar Point didn't have the smoothest of opening this year either.
My experience visiting those parks is they blame everything on Six Flags and Six Flags blames everything on the Cedar Point. Um but um you know just kind of seeing some consistency and also like making sure that you know as frustrating it is as it is making sure that you know when somebody buys a pass product that's kind of how they can keep them relatively cheaper is that they don't transfer between people.
So, I think the biggest thing is we've seen a lot of the really verifying the pictures and that they belong to people um in all aspects of the park >> and we we knew that was coming. I mean, we got I was, you know, like I mentioned, I was invited out right before the park opened to kind of take a look at how the POS system functions and >> from an operation standpoint, it's easy to use. Sure, we were told unofficially by multiple sources that the capability would be there to see photos >> at all point of sales.
>> And I understand the complaint of um you like I'm scanned into the park so that means I'm here. You don't need to verify my photo. But I know you you know and hear of many people scanning in people that are not with them or using their pass to scan someone else in and to be able to use those benefits when they are not in the park. So that's another >> being able to verify that that is the person using the pass.
>> Devil's advocate is their staff at the front needs to be doing their job.
If it's somebody who's scanning in who doesn't isn't on the path, that person say, "Is this you?"
>> And I believe that last year and even the year before they or actually I mean for years they've been really trying to bring the hammer down on that. I think sometimes >> a 15-year-old gets overwhelmed by people coming back and saying, "Scan me in. I didn't get scanned." Um, but yeah, that's definitely like all of the all of the arms, all of the cogs in the wheel have to work together >> on that. I mean, it and just just uh to summarize the change is that now in order to use dining or drink benefits, your photo has to be verified. And that means and that is they've been really good about verifying. That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone has to navigate the line, but everyone who you're using a dining credit for has to be in the general vicinity to be matched with their picture. Um, I have been told that every food line does meet the ADA requirements as far as with and being able to navigate with a wheelchair.
I I can't verify it myself, but I've been told that, too. So, um but grandma doesn't necessarily need to wait in line. Just grandma can sit down and you say, "That's grandma."
>> Yeah. And I mean, and we've seen it firsthand, you know, in in the posts, in the comments in the group that it this is being enforced and >> we talked about we said that was coming and it's still a culture shock to quite a few uh individuals.
>> It does change. I mean, and I I'm sure actor and Dana and you know, Jamie, those of us who have are going around or have it's my kids aren't that young anymore, but it does really change the pacing for for families. It does definitely change the planning out of how to get meals because, you know, it's not as now I'm in the chaperone place.
Um it it it does really change the flow of the park for a lot of people. So it is going to take a lot of getting used to. Um I will say to anyone who says, "Well, Cedar Point's been doing it that way for years and it works." Cedar Points customer service doesn't work for me. So um I don't I I do think that Six Flags has always had especially our park has always had like an upper hand as far as taking care of the guest and really thinking of families. And I do not think that Cedar Point, from my terrible experience I had there last summer, I don't think that they have the same um mindset. I think a lot of parents take it or don't.
>> As parents who have taken little people to Cedar Point, I can assure you that there is a ton less little people at Cedar Point because those people go there for thrill rides, thrill capital of the world. They are there for the big coasters. The little coasters, the little the little kids rides are so minimal there. So when you're there, you're talking probably 15 and older and that's pro got to be their main source.
>> Yeah.
>> Whereas our family is or our our park is really family oriented and we do have the kids rides and we're going to be getting, you know, stuff for families and we have shows and different areas of the park and families want to see this or families want to see that. So what's being asked of our park logistically is not fair to say oh well they do it at Cedar Point because logistically we're a very very different place.
>> 100%. 100%. I mean and we you know just we are always take the mindset but this is the rule so we're going to go with the rule. this is the procedure. But we also like as much as we will be honest when something we can be unhappy with it and still be accepting of it and like work together and strategize going through how to make this work, but hit it on the nose, Dana.
Like this is a if we are a chain that's looking for families and I'm thinking of you know what came in on Mother's Day, families. what came like I think I would hope any ears or eyes on here would really think through um that just because it works at an area that isn't really necessarily for families does not mean it will work here and again my experience with Cedar Point I visited one time and I would not ever want to say oh they do it and it works because my experience with their customer service was just horrendous.
So, um we will all navigate this change together. Um but also hope that you know it feedback is a big thing and just that that family voice is heard. Um, as far as the logistics of trying to navigate food lines and navigate just timing of everything so the whole family can enjoy the visit.
>> Yeah. And especially when you've increased the the distance between food, now you not only have impatient kids, you have hungry kids. And have fun. You know, you're you're the parent trying to handle that and it's a mess sometimes.
>> It's Yeah. Especially when you have, you know, the kid wants something from somewhere and both parents want food from somewhere else and both parents can't stand in the line in the one place because one of them has to take the kid to the other place and you can't get both their meals. Yeah. It just it or Yeah, I can imagine would be even >> I mean there was a time when I had attended the park with three kids under eight.
>> Yeah.
>> And that was I mean they didn't all have their own dining plan, but that was overwhelming. And so I can understand that that would be really difficult.
>> I will say some of the, you know, comments on food and weights and hourlines. I think you may have mentioned it in a post somewhere. The lines are longer too because more people are standing in them because of this change. Doesn't necessarily mean that the weight's going to be an hour, but there are more people standing in line because you have to be there with the pass.
>> Yeah. I don't I don't think the order of volume is more. I think just the bodies waiting in line are more. And I do remember like does anyone else remember or maybe it was just fast lane where they would actually have a sign that says I only want one person. It was fast lane. They used to actually have a sign and said only one part person for the party could wait in that line. Um so yeah that it's going to adjust. On the flip side, if we go for something that is a positive change, that paper cup, that paper cup change is just absolutely game changer for me. I do that.
>> I do too. Aside from seeming wasteful, but it was Yeah. I I like just getting my cup done and tossing it.
>> Yeah. Day one. Day one, I walked in and got that paper cup. There's no more no more bottle. I got the plus.
>> I love the paper cup.
>> Now, for those I'm going to quick little plug here. We'll get the link posted back on the on the page again. For those who are kind of worried about the paper cup um because it has no lid. Well, if you go out to Amazon.
>> Oh, I have some. They sell these lovely silicone lids and we can I think her name is Latrina latrina B.
>> You should meet her.
>> Wait, is that the lady that's always trying to find me?
>> You should hide.
>> Should I hide from her?
>> Yeah.
>> No, she's safe. She's a safe person.
>> Okay, let try not let >> Thank you for these the idea of these.
We will put your link out there. But these do fit on the paper cups. Um, there is a straw holder in there, too, if you wanted to bring a uh reusable straw.
>> I have the straws that she suggested, too. They're like straws that go into a little like keychain. It's It's in an Amazon box over here. But, um, you know, really nice. And you can just like rinse them off in a bathroom. Um, I did see it fit on her cup. It's a It's a perfect um It's a perfect pairing. Uh I I don't know if I get fewer beverages when it's actually a small cup. It's not I did start to see I've refill stations be open. That's also very quick.
Um and I think the smaller cup is just right for me. I've had a couple battles with ices um early on and it's just like yes, that's what plus means. You can I can get the icy and they they have to be assured that they can put an icy in a nonicy branded cup that's small.
>> I used mine twice for ices this past weekend and they didn't question it at all. They just they just took care of it. So hopefully that's just an early season hiccup with the new with the new plan. I'm living the old school cup life. For those of you that would like to come back to normaly, thank you. I don't know how to operate the park without carrying a cup on my backpack. I panic. I feel like I've forgotten my life. So, some of us are still living the park life properly. You're welcome.
>> I have one plastic cup and then I'm going to upgrade my other one for kind of >> I upgraded mine and they kept there that way. It's like, you know. Yeah, I've got I have the I have the paper, you know, just the standard um paper cup and Laura upgraded to the plus because I don't drink that many ices or coffee when it's hot. So, we figure >> don't drink Starbucks.
>> You know what? I would love >> regular coffee.
>> I would love if the park had like an iced tea option. Like not a raspberry iced tea, but just like a iced tea, like plain old >> unsweetened iced tea.
>> Sweetened black iced tea. for those that don't have that somewhere.
>> They did originally when I first started going there. They did in 2014.
Um I don't remember where it was, but they did have it.
>> Yeah. I'd love to also see, you know, align with either the blood the just standard iced tea just another sugar-free option for those of us that >> you are trying have to stay away from the sugar. I mean, the Coke Zero is great, but you know, when you're not feeling, you know, a cola, another beverage option besides ice water would be would be good.
>> I would say a vitamin water zero would be so refreshing.
>> Going back to the hund flavor machines.
>> Yeah, >> I hated those lines and it was so gross and they were covered. It was gross. Um, but yeah, maybe if we had I know that at one point there was um vitamin water, but it would be very nice to have something non-carbonated and sugarf free.
>> Yeah. And they did change the layout of uh Starbucks or Bourbon Street Cafe um to give you the self the self-s served drink machine. And they combine the Starbucks line and the Burb Street line into one, which makes a little more sense. Um, still a little chaotic I think ones get crowded when you're waiting on the Starbucks beverages, but they'll figure that that layout.
>> And there are two regions, so if they're using both, you can you can order whatever at either one. You don't have to go one separate for food and one separate for coffee now. So that's I didn't realize they'd have two when we went to the food event. They only had the one open. So I thought it was just be one register, but they had two this weekend. So >> still making beignetes wrong. That's okay. And if you bring your own cup for water, they you cannot get a refill at the soda machine. You have to refill at the bubblers by the bathrooms.
>> As my little one did, he went and filled his plastic cup with water, brought it to me, and then got back in line and >> got himself something to drink.
>> Yeah. And it is still a 15inute interval between drinks. And the it's not discretionary. the register will actually tell the um it will actually tell the cashier that you have to wait and give you the amount that you have to wait. Um I don't think I've ever >> I've never >> No, I mean if I'm really thirsty, I could definitely just put some water in a cup. Um there are a lot of bottle refill stations and and increasingly uh like it's it's increasing with the amount that we have. At least every area has one to look for that post from last year.
>> Oh, where somebody had them all >> repropit I put all the all of them up there last year.
>> Some new ones didn't have it in those bath in the bathrooms. Did they put >> uh by Six Below?
>> By Six Below. Okay.
>> Six Below has one.
>> I thought I saw them putting one up by the bathrooms across from the Oasis.
>> Oh, maybe >> one's been there.
>> Has it?
>> Oh, so two in Southwest. The other big dining change is um you will there are no longer snacks with the allseason meal plans. Um that's been shocking. you know, we all know um it's not like an email went out. It just kind of disappeared. Um but we had that confirmed. It was to make the dining plans uniform. Same with the 4hour. I can get that because last year it there were weird things happening with the registers. Like sometimes I would go to get a snack and told I need to wait to get my snack be and then they'd have to they did some kind of voodoo with the register and then it would accept it. um and then having to say, "No, I have 90 minutes or I have four hours." So, I get that you will still see snacks on the boards. Um those can be a part of a one-day dining, they can be a part of uh also if somebody's a field trip package, sometimes they get like little vouchers.
So, there are still snacks on the board.
We cannot convert.
um painful. Also, >> it's nonsensical >> as like I have I know Dana and I both have picky eat picky eaters.
>> I'm in like full trigger mode with this.
And it's not necessarily just because of my picky eater, but it's because in my food service background, I'm telling you right now, the waste that they're going to incur from the burgers that I'm going to throw away so that my kid can have fries is wild. the sandwiches that I'm going to be tossing in the trash because nobody wants to eat a sandwich from Bourbon Street, but my kid wants a bag of chips is nuts. And the amount of >> I can tell you why we don't want to eat a sandwich.
Bourbon Street, maybe we could have a fresh sandwich, not the one that was made yesterday.
>> That would be great, too. But yeah, I mean, we have a super picky eater and it's it's to a point where, you know, we we live with it, we accommodate it, and she has a meal pass and in the park right now, she will eat plain noodles and a piece of pizza.
>> Thank goodness I bought those back.
Thank god the spaghetti is back because we would be down to just pizza. Now I feel like we could come up with a viable solution. Maybe we do a snack as a pretzel and a meal as a pretzel with cheese. Maybe we do a snack as an ice cream scoop and a meal as an ice cream sundae because there's got to be a way around this. This is nuts. I can't fathom how much food is going to get thrown out, which is going to increase the waste of the stuff they're putting it in and the stuff that they're cooking, which is going to cause their food cost to go up and get handed back down to us. It's just it's so stressful for my brain.
>> Yeah, we're I'm in the same boat with the ordering the sandwich that no one will eat because it's yesterday's sandwich um and all soggy.
Get a bag of chips.
What do I order there to get a bag of chips?
>> Yeah.
>> All has meat on it.
>> Yep. And I'm not paying 250 for a bag of chips.
>> Not when I pay for a meal pass. That's not >> Yeah. It doesn't make any sense. When we were trading down most of the time or like ordering nachos, but if you have a picky eater that just wants the chip and chips and cheese, I'm ordering the >> everything.
And and in that case, like they're not throwing it away, but it's it's kind of silly. I'm making things fit. Try to try to down downsize a little bit. Um >> that was about I had like, well, you know, they're doing the loaded nachos at the one which stand is that has a loaded nachos.
>> Condor Condor snacks.
>> I mean, can you go in there and ask for the nachos without anything on them and use it as your >> Yes. that that that'd be another thing you got to like, you know, crafty >> and not waste all the kind, you know, but yeah, it's kind of >> most people trade down. I can't tell you how many times we said, "All right, we're here for dinner. You had something on the way here. What do you want to use your meal pass on? I want a scoop of ice cream." So, you would rather have a scoop of ice cream with your meal pass than an $18 burger. Great. I'm sure the park appreciates that. You'd rather have one of the little, you know, pickle pouches than have a whole sandwich. Like that's it's sensibly not there.
>> Mine mine would use meals routinely for a churro.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Ours is pretzels. She she loves the pretzels. She doesn't even prefer cheese. And so >> Yep. That would I I think our two have a very similar diet except mine won't even do pizza because there's cheese on it.
Um, but yeah, they I would hope that there's now we've, you know, we've got all the parks on the same POS system and then maybe there can be some thoughts about, well, maybe it does make sense for people to be able to trade down. I did see a comment that says that they've seen them crack down and not converting for a snack. It's not just like that they the people at the stands like they're cracking down. They cannot ring it.
>> We actually we went to over Texas for um a short visit uh a couple months back and we got our meal passes and everything verified there. And we immediately wanted to test this. We that was our first thought was like let's see what the deal is. You know, they're opening weekend. Let's run in and see what we can do. And we were prepared to pay for what we couldn't use for our pass, but we wanted to see how it went.
And we went up and we said, "Okay, we have this little milkshake. We'd like to convert our snack over from our meal."
And they said, "We don't think we can do that." I said, "Ah, give it a try. Let's see." I knew what we were doing, you know. And they showed me on their screen that it physically will not allow it.
Like they can't ring that.
>> Doesn't come up as an option. It doesn't come up as Yeah. It tells you what you can get and that's it. It's like it's >> So, >> yeah.
So growing pains um things to get used to things that we are hopeful like you know things can change policies can change pretty quickly >> like nachos they weren't on the meal plan now they are I mean yeah adjustments are made >> definitely with feedback knowing that the person at the stand does not control >> what >> they have no control over the policy. So being respectful of the policy um that's in place and respectful of people who are um who are enforcing the policy but then also understanding that it is okay to have a disagreement with the policy and be hopeful that feedback from can help change that policy.
>> Do we want to move?
>> They encourage getting feedback. They encourage you know >> Yeah. My 50 minute survey yesterday.
>> Yeah. Dana got a survey said it took her forever to do it.
>> Wow.
>> Long.
>> My whole lunch I sat there and did a survey.
>> So, just before we move on, um the paper cup plus if you're getting the coffee, the hot chocolate. I know Brent has worked on a post kind of saying what locations have it. Um, I just want to be clear up a little bit on Windy City because Brent had a weird experience where he was trying to order hot coffee or chocolate at the bar. And the proper procedure I asked it's if you're going in Windy City, you want the coffee, you want the hot chocolate, you're going to go over to the right hand side where the refill station is. Um, the employee there will give you a receipt for either the coffee, the hot chocolate. You're just going to take it to that old pickup area in Windy City. They're going to take your receipt. They're going to run it back and grab that for you.
>> Nice. So that you don't have to wait in the whole food line.
>> Correct.
>> That's See, things can change.
>> So you said take a receipt. Where do you get the receipt? At the regular registers or do they >> No, at the at the refill the refill spot. They can print Yeah, they he or she can print a receipt there.
>> Yeah.
>> Very nice. Oh, that's different topic.
Never mind.
>> What topic you want to go to, Jamie?
Because we can we're ready to move on from kind of food and beverage. So, where you going?
>> This weekend when I parked, I did not get that return receipt to get back in the park if I left. So, that one started weekend one. Did it work weekend two?
And then went away weekend three.
>> I didn't receive one weekend two.
>> I did not receive weekend one.
two.
>> I think you went it open on weekend one and wasn't the gate the security thing not working to check for parking.
>> Yes, I think I Yes. opening day there was an issue. They were kind of more or less.
>> Yeah. So, when I came in at like no receipt, it was still in my door yesterday. I threw it away >> and I didn't get one when I went this weekend.
So that must be gone already too.
>> We will have to follow up and find out if that's supposed to be gone.
Okay. First and not the rest.
So they I mean I guess like on the scans they can see that you've come in. Same as like are were they handstamping for every for season pass holders and members?
I've seen handstamps all even after we received that that email communication from the park. They were still handstamping this past weekend.
Um, for I I do assume based on that email that it's similar to how they do it at the Legacy Cedar Fair Parks is if you have a season pass or membership, it you know, you can re-enter on that which is nice. Um, because they can see your I'm assuming they can see your history that you came in and they're verifying your picture anyway. But if you are coming in on a one-day ticket, they take your picture and give you a little card to return. Um, so everything is photobased uh to return. No more anyone who thought that ever worked.
>> It didn't.
>> I was always worried it would come off in the water park when I went back to the dry park.
>> Yeah.
And those are still separate gates, separate parks. So they >> But they're not listed separate in the app. Correct. Because Hurricane Harbor Chicago is not on the app.
>> Oh, right, Kirk?
>> It's all together as one now.
>> Yeah. Okay.
Well, I think it's still running at separate gate though. But yeah, we won't know till >> June.
And remember, the water park is opening a week later this year.
>> And to be honest, it's opened a week later for the past couple years.
>> Um, just due to weather.
>> The memorial is early this year because it's because of May.
>> Really early.
>> They haven't really birthday for it.
>> Oh, no. That's Labor Day.
>> They've been postponing it the last couple years. So >> yeah, I was always too cold to go in the water.
>> I mean, there was frost yesterday.
So >> that is accurate.
>> I did see the lifeguards coming out of training this weekend. There's water in some of the stuff in there. But yeah, >> last time at a certain point at the evening they are pulling that you do just drive right in.
That's not guaranteed.
Um just I mean in Frightfest they stay there for a long time but it's kind of how long you know do they need to put the person there. Same with preferred like if there isn't a person to put a preferred they're going to um prioritize a safety sensitive position over preferred parking.
>> It wasn't even manned on Mother's Day.
>> Yeah. I haven't seen it man yet this year >> which it also wasn't full.
parking now. So, it's just first come, first serve.
>> Yes.
>> Yes.
>> And so many people have it because, you know, it's all prestige, all >> Shh. Don't tell them.
>> It's okay. So, it's most beneficial if you're coming in like the second wave of guests. If you are getting there at open, you don't even need it because >> right um because preferred is a way so far away. Um and like even if you're going to the water park now, it doesn't make any sense because you still have to walk in the same same gate.
Should we transition to Well, since we're at the gate, transition to the uh the other major change, >> chaper. Chaperon >> chaperone policy >> little policy started little bit looser and it got a little bit tighter as >> it's tight into it >> and it's being enforced. So if you have not been and you think oh well it's okay it is at the gate part it is 100% being enforced where and they they're pretty um like it's not like you can I've seen the pictures at Texas of all the teens sitting outside of the parking gate looking for families. Um, they're pretty good at recognizing if somebody has tried to walk in and been denied and then comes back in with another family.
Um, >> there was this one girl there this weekend being really strict about that.
>> Yeah.
>> Younger girl, >> she was maybe 20ish. Yeah.
>> Be serious.
Watch out for that one.
Yeah, they um so the expectation we do have a we've seen actually some policies that are a lot more strict than ours to um Kirk, what you pulled up one from Texas hurricane is the Arlington hurricane harbor.
>> Yes, there are there are about three or four parks that you have to be basically 18 or older. anyone 17 or under um is required to have a chevron.
>> And it's like 18 with a 21 year old.
Like you can't just be a group of 18 year olds with a 17-year-old friend.
Your your friend can't come in. Ours at least it's 15 and under. Um I know that we have employees that work at the park that are 15 and they are still subject to the chaperone policy from what I understand. Um and it is 10 per adult but it is expected that the adult is with them at the park. Now with them is in the general area like I would consider with being in the same like if I'm with and I I have chaperone purgatory because I have a 14-year-old in the house. Um, and I mean all of our the moms in our group, we're like, "Well, this is the rule." So if I my group of teens is riding Batman, I consider that that I need to be in DC in the DC area. So if they're riding Batman, I don't need to be waiting at the exit. I don't need to be in line with them, but I should be in DC in close proximity. Um, and then when they move on to Goliath, I should be in that area of county fair. So, I think that's what they're looking for as far as um the chaperon. Now, this is not coming from the park, but that is my interpretation of being with a group.
>> Yeah. In in Windy City and my kids want to run over and get on a bowl.
>> Yeah.
>> No, we're right here, you know.
>> Yeah. Yeah. be not. Last year it was just be in the park.
>> What's that?
>> Know where your kids are. Like >> Yeah. Know where they are. Take responsibility for your little goblins.
Um but that would be how as a mom I would interpret it. Um that I that I just be in the same area. Be ready. If my kid was acting like an idiot, then I I would need to be responsible.
>> And it's unfortunate, but it's it's not just even theme parks. Somebody had posted something about a there's a town celebrity celebration somewhere in a town and the town's require has a chaperone policy for people to attend their town celebration. Like it's >> Marcus Cinema's um writing gurnie has had a policy for a while. Um, >> our malls have them here, too.
>> The malls.
>> Yeah.
>> Well, and I mean, you can always tell your teenagers like, "If you don't want me to stand with your group of friends the whole time we're here, act like humans. It's that easy."
>> Yeah.
>> Like humans. They're not drawing attention to themselves.
>> Otherwise, we hang out all day.
>> I'll write right a bracelet leash and a backpack leash.
>> I still think that like the field trip kids should have a barcoded wristband so somebody could >> I I swear like who is your person? Why did you bring the the uh what do they the the tendies? Why are the tendies come on? Oh >> I'm waiting to see somebody in the parking lot with a hat on that says chaperone for hire.
Oh, >> you just stole that idea.
>> But here's the thing from somebody who is very short and very strict.
I would never want to take like I would never want to take responsibility for teens that I don't know.
>> Well, I wouldn't either. We have people that are say, "Can we come in with you?"
We're like, "No, no, no."
Almost every time we went, there were kids asking in line like >> I don't even want to bring my own kids.
I am not.
>> And people and I've seen kids offering money like I'll give you $20 like the people.
>> Are you serious?
>> Oh, yeah.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> Well, shoot. I can make some extra money.
>> How much you got?
>> Like, wait a minute.
>> During tradefest, like there was a whole And security is really good at pushing they'll keep pushing them back. Um, and then if they see them coming in like they they were really kind of aggressive about looking for people to be their family and it's like, "Nope, I've got my own people."
>> They needed I mean I was surprised they probably needed more help doing that because we had a situation where some kids ran by us and like are you guys all together? And they're like, "Yep." And went by. We're like, "They're not with us." And told them they're like, "Who?"
And like the kids that just ran right by you and >> and >> you know what she do? She got a whole line of people here. It's like I know they they tried to prevent as much as possible because they'd have somebody stationed between the main entrance and where the they had routed us by the hurricane harbor entrance, you know, to to go in to check for IDs, but still there were kids that would climb over that those rails and it was >> we'd come late so we'd see all the chaos.
>> If you and if you haven't been, it's not like it was at Frightfest where you have to do this big line around. They're just doing it right.
>> Um it's right after you go through security, right?
>> Yep.
just kind of routine and it's not I know we had controversy last year that said I have to bring an ID if you are obviously over 21 they're not like they're not going to mess with any of us on here we're old >> somebody asked for ours >> I was asked for mine by a particular >> I was actually told ID or leave >> um I made my son an ID and it didn't work.
It was not accepted.
>> People are saying, "Well, can they have a school ID?" And it has to be a government issued ID.
>> I know. That's what I'm saying.
>> And then they will like for employees, this is they will look at a park ID, but like anyone who's fif they they have certain colors, so like a 15-year-old can use a park ID. Um, school ID would be fine for a Obviously, it's a school ID is not going to actually No, it wouldn't get it would just show that you were under. It's not going to get you in.
>> Yeah. Because a high schooler could be 14 to 18. So, it's >> Yeah. And your birth >> I was a 16-year-old senior at one point.
So, that >> I went to got JJ estate ID just because he needed it for something else. But that way I haveation.
>> Yeah, you can get them for any age and I don't know.
>> I'm not going to show what I made for >> um but yeah, it'll be something to get used to. But you know, on the flip side, on Sunday, it was family after family after family.
And you know, it is not an accident that we see so many press releases about Oh, hey JJ. We see so many press releases about cracking down on the chaperone policy because there is, you know, this takes us back to the food. There is always a thing about trying to get families to come in and trying to get families and trying like if if there's a perception and there has been a perception of something not being safe, the easiest way is to say, "Look, we're we've taken care of this."
>> We live out of the way. I mean, we're not from the area, but I see a lot of Chicago news things. And anytime a big Chicago station posts like, "Oh, Six Flags is getting a new ride. Every single comment is gang this and fight that and it's terrible." And I'm like, >> I live at this place. I guarantee that's not happening. But the perception of it is that. And it's crazy.
>> Yeah.
>> And I love the comments when when that happens. We go after the people in the comments section. I mean, right? I mean, it's me. It's our home. We know.
>> But a lot of this is to counter that.
>> It's to reprogram um to reprogram the impression of the park and who the park, you know, just as a safe place and that they it isn't a place that that old adage where they say, "Oh, you're you're letting you're you're making the park the babysitter."
We don't get babysitters for our teens anyways >> for those that are well behaved and this because you know I' I'd much rather have my child 16 go to a theme park to have fun there than to be out doing other things in the street you know >> it's not like it's free you know so >> we understand the first and again we understand you know some people aren't happy with it and >> again it's not it's not like it's just this park it's not like it's just you know theme parks in general I mean it's happening a lot of places and Unfortunately, it's a world we live in you now. This is, you know, this is >> and when it turns out that really the problem for the minority, it's just >> and when the problems are really coming from drunk adults at Frightfest, then they can deal with the drunk adults at Frightfest >> or grandmas with a purse.
>> I was say I I don't know what we're talking about here. may or may not point >> in that fashion >> just >> well we made it inside the park. We've got you know the reflection pond's updated the >> I was just going to say the reflection pond is looking good with the dirt and the sign.
>> I noticed nobody got in there this >> and no one got in it.
>> It was it is it's it's better than I was expecting. house when first had those images showing of a taller wall, you know, before they said knock it. I was like, it's going to block the whole car view of the car. It's not it it actually looks really nice. It'll look nice when flowers are in there. So, >> I was always jealous at Cal of of how grand California's Great America looked with that planter, and I'm very happy that >> that's something that we're twinning again.
>> And uh and the, you know, having the fountains that are going to be >> it'll look great. Yep.
>> I now hope this is just a little side note. So, you know how the original sign was out front in that roundabout with the flags before they remodeled it and they put the sign right in front of the carousel.
>> I now that they have the lower sign, I think I would be nice if they took the other sign down to have a full view of the carousel.
on the horizon.
>> Yes, that is coming. That is coming down.
>> Oh, okay. It'll be placed somewhere else in the park.
>> I would like I would like it in my backyard, please.
>> I asked they said >> when you're taking a photo, though, because the way that the sign is angled down, can you really see it?
>> Yeah, that's I thought it would be angled up a little more. Mhm.
>> It's going to look great from Skyrek Tower, >> which by the way, uh I saw the comments that um one of our junkies in our group posted that uh they drove by today. And not only is the yellow train running on Raging Bull as testing, Sky Truck Tower was also running today.
>> Yeah, the windows have been fixed on it.
So, I'm I heard that I saw somebody post that they were like pumping water out of the underneath at the bottom.
>> The ride comes down to that they were like pumping water out of that and and under the weather.
>> So, let's hope that a couple more rides get out of single train ops and and slowly but surely we get double trains.
>> I noticed one I noticed on uh Sunday one row of seats from Raging Bullet was on the ground next to the ride. Like just the one, not a whole train, just the one just the one one row. Yeah.
>> The rest of that train I think from seen it from the lift hill. Um >> you're going to take my >> was kind of in Hurricane Harbor.
>> Was it?
>> Y.
>> I haven't ridden Bull yet this year.
>> Oh, >> come on, Jamie.
>> It's three weeks. I'll tell you. I rode in the fifth row. rode in the fifth row and the best ride I've ever had in the middle of a train on that ride.
>> Speaking of Yes, you're right. The with the >> front or back and I was in the middle and I was got so much air time. It was like that's the best ride I've ever had in the middle of a of a train on this ride.
>> That that teal train was the fastest I've ever gone through. Bull.
>> Red train.
>> Teal.
>> Teal. Teal is always awesome. Like it was we were all on it and we went through that break run that second break run and it was just whoosh just I mean it was it was great those bunny hills at the end of those air time >> and I don't know if this will be just as a note I don't know if that'll be a standard thing for the whole season because they kind of did that with rap last year where there specific row they would use for you know they're using like the middle row for for people with um AAP passes on on Sunday for Bull they were just hold the they were using the fifth row they were just not filling that line in that row and using it for for people with ADA pass. So, don't know if they'll switch rows or if that's going to be a common thing because like I said, we kind of saw with Wrath last year where it was just the middle they were using. So, >> and we saw that uh the um rock chasa treats or snacks, whatever it is, that that the nachos are now back on the meal plan >> at Demon Delights. Is it?
>> That's it.
>> Yeah, it's they've it's even got the uh the M is on the menu board, too.
>> You know what I would like back? I just kind of fun like an old an old item to bring back. I would love to have the Yukon barbecue grilled chicken Caesar salad with the shell. I would do anything for that shell.
>> That's a scary thought.
>> Anything.
>> Well, I don't know about that, but like I I love that shell. That shell is my favorite.
>> I hope they bring back Oh, wait. We'll move that too for when we move on to the 50th anniversary.
>> Oh, yeah.
I saw that what is it the 29th they're giving out hats and a free snack or something like that. I saw >> what?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. For the the um >> party hat.
>> I'mma wear that party hat all day.
>> I am so pull that page up.
I'm excited to see the emporium and like what's in there for merch. I have a feeling I'm going to be spending way too much money.
>> And going back to the entrance, you we talked about the the fountain, but you know, the the bricks look great. That wall there with the photos, like it's so cool that they did that with the photos people had submitted.
>> Bricks look great.
>> And this week, >> you can still buy a brick. You can still get one.
>> Bricks look great. They do, but they really need to consider that people are photographing them and maybe brush them off because there was a lot of bird poop. I'd have been really mad if that was my brick. There's leaves all over it already from flowers dying. And I thought >> and I feel like because I know they they power wash them midways every night. So I don't know if it's just us falling again early in the morning or birds are getting back. I mean, there's only so much you can do, but >> yeah.
>> But yeah, it's hopefully that they they they take care of them and make sure like I noticed some of the sand between the bricks was already washed out. It's like Yeah, they want to make sure they get keep covering that because otherwise you just have stuff start growing between them and >> Well, it's possible they're they've left it a little loose if they have to >> Oh, yeah. to put new ones in. Yeah, that's my understanding is that that that area is at least time the thought is that's that's the area. So, I'm assuming when they get more bricks in, they're just pulling some of the plain bricks and replacing them with >> they're bringing the firefighters back.
>> They are there. I wonder are they going to open the firehouse?
>> Wait, what?
>> Look, >> the quartet's going to be back.
>> The barberh shop quartet >> on the 29th >> for one day only.
>> Wow. Is that the the original guys?
>> The original guys. And here they are in the photo. Um, they're coming back.
>> Uh, I uh I actually have an old video that someone submitted of them singing.
We need to post that.
>> It's in that TV special.
>> Yep.
>> So, here's where it says to um the celebration 11 o'clock hometown square kick off the 50th anniversary season.
Festive party hats and a free sweet treat while supplies last, which is a first come first serve.
No foam party. They finally ran out of foam.
>> That sounds really exciting.
>> Work.
>> Is that a What day of the week is that?
>> Friday.
>> Friday.
>> It's the day after Espen gets out of school.
>> We could go.
>> I have to work the next day. So, we'll leave.
>> Oh, that' be so cool.
And so that we are expecting a lot of the 50th stuff to really hit that day.
So >> we haven't seen like I know people were looking for park specific things. I would assume that that's going to be really focused on the 50th. We have seen what some of the merch will be. We have there was good stuff there. It was >> And we were in Texas. They had their 65th anniversary. Now the 65th anniversary merch was pretty cool. So, I'm I'm pretty excited to see what they they have at our park for the 50th >> because we're still waiting. We we still have two majors because uh Flags has not opened yet.
>> And Emporium >> Emporium clearance section, too.
>> I think the clearance section is going to be the museum this season. Okay.
>> Yeah. If we see clearance, it'll probably be somewhere back of the park maybe.
Oh yeah, this I'm I'm just like I'm sure there's things for the 50th they aren't announcing like thing like I' I'd love to see I know the village of Gurnie recreated like the carousel picture recently, but I'd love to see like an everybody picture that like they did the first day.
>> Yeah. I hope they have some surprises in store. That'd be that'd be cool. I would love a title wave photo or like a a title wave uh like t-shirt.
>> Oh, tidal wave t-shirt.
>> Like I survived the title wave.
>> Yes, >> but you never rode it.
>> I know. But I survived it.
>> I think I went to the park one time with Tidal Wave there. I never rode it because it was scary.
>> Yeah, I wrote I rode that title wave was fun.
>> It was It was a blast.
I don't remember the park in the 70s.
>> Me either.
>> I mean, I wrote it, you know, in the 80 it was there to the 80s. So, I wrote it >> in the 80s.
>> 80s. So, >> but um >> my first visit was still there and ZForce was there. So, that narrows it down to what one year7.
>> Hello, El Michelle.
Michelle Valley Mall. I was thinking of Appleton.
>> By the way, it was great because it just had the seat belt and like the lap bar.
There was no over the shoulder harness, you know, so upside down without that.
>> So, you pulled that click click click click click bar down.
>> Yep.
>> Are they going to bring back um Marty GR hangover?
Well, that whole area is leveled completely now. So, >> leveled with teasers. So, now we are on the lookout for updated teasers.
>> Right. There has to be like there's there's there's going to be I I'm excited.
>> I love people said a couple years ago there's no real estate and they are definitely showing us where the real estate is.
>> A lot of real estate in market.
>> What do you think going to be there?
What do you What do you think we're getting after the kids area?
I don't know. But if now this is one good thing what you'd like to see next >> I think we're getting a big coaster >> completely just my I like what I think >> and isn't the Cedar Fair model where they will start construction much earlier to try to get it open earlier so it's like open not maybe not necessarily But their philosophy is to just start building like not waiting until the old way with Six Flags is we got those >> Kirk used to kind of hack into it. We used to get the the August everything got announced in one day but they wouldn't hide the IP address so you could just play with >> the the survey also asked if if something needed to be removed what would you like to see removed or prefer to have removed?
>> Superman.
>> Oh, I would love >> I'm with you on that one. I would love Superman removed for a big ride.
>> I said kidsopouloolis.
>> Yeah, >> it's getting kind of dusty over there.
If we're going to get other cool new kids things, take that area and do something.
>> But is it going to go camp Snoopy or is it are we going to stay Looney Tunes?
>> I think we'll stay Looney Tunes.
>> Put of the license.
It was like specifically for the Legacy Cedar Fair parks that they renew that license. So, >> and they were like, >> I don't know how like they were clearancing a lot of their their peanut stuff. It just I'm on the edge of it.
>> The edge is coming back.
>> Let's dive right into that conversation.
>> Shuttle right on over.
Yeah, >> I will say with the new kids area, the posters that are up, they're the same posters. So, they're not we're not getting the teasers kind of like we were with >> Yeah.
>> with R banners were popping up or Sky Striker, you know, with got a theme to it.
Definitely an area about this though because they've got the go-kart area and then they've got the area like where crazy bus and all that was.
>> Do we think that's enough space to put some footers for a good family little coaster over that area >> because that's two very different spaces.
>> I think the new area will tie the whole area together.
>> I agree with that.
>> It's going to tie the area together as one >> Yukon has needed some love. So, here's my theory is if you've noticed in Yukon Barbecue, they have started removing the >> What? What' you say?
>> Moosees.
>> Yeah, they they've um they've they've removed the mess. Uh no, they've removed the giant moose that talks and then all the moose heads and all the fe theming in Snowshoe Saloon. And the train has been removed at the top as well. It was down below when I looked. So, my guess is is that they're slowly removing the theming where it's still going to be like that wooded theme. However, it's going to be like a Bugs Bunny camp area or, you know, camp Snoopy or whatever they decide, but that that theming is going to go over all of >> like a lodge maybe, you know, like Yeah, >> I did. I was a little I was really sad that that backdrop at the snow shoe disappeared because that if we see some of the pictures that you've been posting that's been there a long time.
>> I agree. I wonder if loggers will get a new name if they redeem the area to better what's than a log tie it to the theme of the area if it's like camping whatever bugs bunny you know >> camping >> just like >> it is very fun to be able to see the entrance to the wilderness theater >> theater >> chainsaw crew is going to turn into lumberjacks >> oh I love kids area by day, real fright chainsaws by night.
>> Tell you what, here's something here's something to think about with all those wood all those wood fences up.
>> You fire those chainsaws up in that area.
>> That sound is going to stay right in there and bounce right off those fences >> and log with the with the fog.
>> I can't wait. Now bring on Frankfest.
We're already um we let's see we have shows going on where the stages maybe we'll go.
So there's two shows during the day a parade party and then the end of the night show >> about that >> there was no end.
>> They have built proper stages.
So, Southwest now has a stage and Hometown has a stage by the firehouse.
>> That was the same stage that they used for the Halloween show, right?
>> Yeah, but it's sturdier.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, it's it's a stage. Did Is there still seating behind it or did that take all the seat?
>> It's all removed. It's >> gone.
>> Bummer.
>> So, Mother's Day, we had two party gro and no home >> echoes through time through time.
>> Yeah. Um because some things I I guess sound bad.
Sound systems not sound systeming.
>> Did they fix the sound system all this last weekend?
>> No. I'm saying they took that show away entirely because it was there were a couple people out there. Um, but they they did not wait that final show >> 1976 original sound system >> maybe.
>> Was it playing out a real tore?
>> It's probably from Ignite.
>> Oh, they brought back the sound system from 1976 and that's what they're using.
>> Absolutely.
>> It's playing the real to real. We're sad though because we haven't been out and we haven't been able to see that last show. And then they said, "No, you get a second party draw." And I had already wiggled my juicy so I couldn't do it again.
>> Need a second one.
>> Um, >> yeah. When I on Saturday, this >> kept cutting out completely and they were just singing and dancing without any music.
>> Oh, that's keep that show going.
must go.
>> Yeah. And and just just to be clear, like the issues that are going on, it has nothing to do with the performers.
The performers on >> they are doing a phenomenal job.
Fortunately, the sound behind them is just it's >> it's the issue.
>> Also, show shows that they're actually the ones singing.
>> Yeah.
>> I feel like the sound of that area wasn't that great last year either.
There was times when it >> it was really hard to hear last year, >> but >> let's hope they get it fixed.
>> I'm sure they're desperately working on it.
>> Yeah, >> I agree.
>> Like I said, they were in there Sunday looking at it. There was several people in there checking stuff. I think whatever the issue is going on though, it's more than just hometown because if you ever notice when you're walking the front of the park, it's choppy >> audio at times. And also if you are in Windy City, that audio will get choppy from time to time.
>> A real choppy carousel song the other day.
>> Somebody needs to splice that tape back together.
I will say I'm excited about all the all the original music being played throughout the park.
>> They went back and they digitized when digital with all the original recordings and that is what you are hearing the original music this year.
>> That's amazing.
>> It feels more like home to me. Um just walking through and like oh that's the hometown music. Oh that's like having heard that for so many years when I worked there. It's really nice to have it back.
>> The only thing that's a little confusing is when you're in DC and they're playing the old Yankee Harbor soundtrack.
I love having the Yankee Harbor music, but it just doesn't match up to a DC theme.
>> Times have changed.
Is Batman playing the Batman music in the queue?
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. All right.
>> They were when we wrote it. We wrote it on Sunday and it was >> nice.
>> And I I didn't notice any like on Wrath like you know how they had the fog coming out by the statues that last year. I didn't notice any of that, but the fog at Batman when it leaves the station is still they do have that on and the lights and demons tunnel that didn't come on till very very late last year during Frightfest are are on. Um, >> that's good. Yeah, they're working. I Let's hope they get the the original soundtrack, the demon on again soon.
>> I still would love for Waterfall to come back on, but I doubt it will.
Is there a soundtrack?
>> Water features are so corrosive for the rides.
>> I can always just wish I I wish I wish if I win the lottery, that's that's my plan. if I win the, you know, the billion dollar lottery, I will pay to have that waterfall, >> you know, and and there's there's that the the part of the corrosion, but it's funny because then now they're also building rides like the there's one in over Texas that's like Aquaman that's like a splash down, you know, the it's a coaster comes down coaster, water shoots all over that thing and it's like, >> well, how long is that going to last?
>> That's one they got from like Saudi Arabia or something, right? That was supposed to go out in the Middle East somewhere and or maybe the one in and and it was too cold when we went. It was too cool out to to ride it, but I mean it looked cool, >> but kind of had an area where people were standing waiting to get wet. Kind of like splash waterfalls. No, nowhere near that much water coming out of the area, but but there were people kind of standing there like, "Oh."
Um, you know, one thing that I don't experience, I think it's the another big now that we're on rides, another big question, and I think Kirk and Bob pro I don't know Hector if you have it. Uh, what kind of difference are we seeing with our FA is it fast lane? Is >> I don't Yeah, they have >> I will say that the regime BQ is phenomenal. Uh, so you now enter, you used to have to walk up the exit and like merge into the line. Um, and you know, you had the line in the stairs that you would merge with. Right now, the fast lane is, correct me if I'm wrong, Bob, is it right to the left of the lane, the the original line, but to the right.
>> Yes. So, you're going in right. You you've got the original line going in, the fast lane's coming in right there on the left, and then you just going straight all the way up the stairs.
reconfigured the queue. It was always there. They just moved everything over to make a lane that went right down.
>> Correct. And so now all the way to >> that little cut through where you used to be able, you know, if you want to kind of like reride if it's dead, that's all blocked off. So you do have to go all the way around if you're going to >> and before with the with the fast flash pass, you guys merge at the bottom of the stairs, right? You had to mix in there. Now it actually goes all the way up where >> all the way up. And there's a grouper now which is also the flash pass person that will scan your um f or sorry not flash pass your fast lane. Uh now we have a grouper on bull at the top that assigns rows. And so as you all know within the past there have been many many times where everyone just like rushes into the bull station and it is packed just absolutely packed and >> uncomfortable.
>> Right. And now it's you're, you know, you're being assigned rows and you get into row and go right on and then they assign rows again. So it's it's very >> Are there requests for is it like Cedar Point where you get the row and like Wrath you get the row that you get so there's no requesting front or back or do they >> I I don't know. I've ridden it three times and each time I was asked what role I wanted. Um, but I don't know if that is a procedure procedure, if that is just, you know, the ride operator at the time or the grouper. Um, but I am certain if you know you are kind and and nice and ask if you'd like a certain row, they can always possibly accommodate. And if not, no big deal.
You can still be pleasant and go to the row they offer. That's gonna be more similar to Goliath that it just makes a lot of sense to it's giving instead of having two positions there then you can get it with one and and be more effective.
>> And Viper also has a new um flat fast lane line >> uh where you enter through the old hurricane harbor uh entrance and Viper is running amazing this year. It is >> um they have the rock uh the the all brand new Philadelphia Tobagen um coaster company has redone the two trains and it is just so much smoother.
>> And so in the process cuz I know it's been in between. Are you still getting a ride time or do you just simply say you want to ride? Like how is that working?
I Bob and I have the the ultimate the fast lane ultimate and you just literally says get on now and you just click it.
>> So there's no more like I can't get a time until later.
>> Well I think with the skip the line there is like >> skip that I get >> right. But as for the fast lane ultimate granted I've only used it three times this season but I I literally just hit you know get on now. Now with single train ops they are a little slower.
There are some rides that they'll just block it out and you are unable to >> Okay.
>> reserve.
>> Yeah, we tried that. Was it It was either Wrath or Raging Bull like that first weekend and it it was too late. We couldn't we couldn't use it.
>> Okay. So, that's part of the reason that they've made different access points because they need for fast lane, you need more space for the fast lane. um like a longer queue because if a lot of people wanted to go at once, they're in that queue. There's not a waiting, >> right? And the nice thing is and I think this is what's different than Cedar Point. So last year I used the wristband at Cedar Point for the fast lane and I will say that now granted Cedar Point's a different beast with the amount of people. However, you know, you just had a wristband so you scanned it. So there was no automatic like you know with our fast lane we the fast lane might get a little backed up and so Bob and I and every anyone with fast lane can't you know access it and so it pairs down the line while at Cedar Point anyone that wants to at any time can just scan and go on the line. of all the fast lane lines at Cedar Point when I was there during a weekday were easily 30 45 minutes while at our park you know it pairs it down but as soon as you get on I mean the weight's minimal.
That's good to know because I think there's, you know, there's still a little bit of a hybrid between I I feel like parks are doing it different ways because there are still wristband parks and still and then we have the the on the app um or it's not it's still is it still a separate >> it's in it's just that you can click it through the six legs app or you can just go to the website.
>> All right. So yeah, it's good to know that like it works. I think ours probably works more efficiently then.
>> Yes. And I but I also, you know, I say at Cedar Point, I love not having my phone on me. Um, which was great as well. However, I I do like from what I've seen this year, I do like the app.
The app is the same as what it's been.
And so, I do like that. Um, you know, Wrath, I know this year when we waited in line for Wrath using our fast lane, it was a significant weight because with one train, um, which was the most we've ever waited. Usually you just walk right up. So, um, >> and that's already that's already been built that way. Like the Wrath Q is already built >> to accommodate it.
>> That's that's interesting. I skip the lines are still on the app and they're still like in a window and there's still what an hour or two hours in the window. I haven't time of day where you can't reserve it anymore. Like even if it won't give you a time, it won't allow you to.
>> Yeah, it's kind of like Disney where they, you know, they run out of time slots.
>> With the uh with the change to fast lane though, I will say that we do like the the change of to the premium experience center. The color on it now much better matches that area, not having the bright orange or bright yellow and red on that building. So it looks it looks better.
>> It's the area. So, that's kind of nice.
>> And that premium experience center um is where you would go if you're having if you're buying a one day dining or needing to act help activating anything um activating a fast uh fast lane, activating drinks, you go there in the morning. Um and then >> upgrading the cup if you're up when upgrades paper, you'll go there.
>> And then they close at a certain point, move everything to the front. But it it does help disperse people to different areas >> so not everyone's waiting there. I've just never been in that part of that building before. So >> who went in?
>> Yeah. So that and then the right accessibility is still in the same place. Nothing's changed with that program. Yeah.
>> Please make sure to register through the third party Anything else?
>> And if you've had that in the past, just and you had it last year, just watch. If you haven't renewed it, they will send an email when you're within 30 days of that expiring to to make sure you renew it. I did see people coming in. There was a lady on Sunday went all the way up on a scooter all the way up the exit to Bull to try to get on the ride and she hadn't gotten a pass or anything. like she could just go up and >> and ride. They're like, "No, you need a pass." And so she not very happily turned the scooter around and put it back on the exit. But >> Amy, have you used the pass yet with like are there any differences with like when you what you can ride or when you can ride it?
>> No.
>> Which ride do you want anymore for you?
It just says uh it just says Max Force and Wrath can't be the first ride >> right >> still. But other than that, they don't send say you have you don't have to pick your first ride or anything like that.
>> Did you guys talk about the fancy not using yet touchscreen ride themed somethings?
>> The kiosk outside the the kiosk outside most of the >> exactly what I >> the one shot kiosks.
That's >> I think those are going to be for if you're buying like the one shot.
>> It's smart though because if I mean I have bought one shots. Um I was more than willing to buy one shots at Cedar Point because I was only there for a couple hours and I was like I'm just going to I really want to ride these rides.
>> Um it's smart because it's right there.
We will take your money right here. You don't have to mess with an app and >> 100%. And let's be honest, with touch pay and everything, people are going to use their phone and go and just get it and go in. I mean, and let's, you know, let's be honest, like when you walk up, it's going to look just like Cedar Point where that screen at the top, one side will say regular line, one side will say fast line, and then the number of minutes. If you know I'm there for one day and like you said I walk up and I look and it's you know 120 minutes or a 100 minutes and the fast lane is 15 minutes and I can pay $20. Not I normally wouldn't do stuff like that but I probably would pay $20.
>> Yeah. You know.
>> Yeah. I mean it's it's an instant gratification. It's right there. Um I saved so much time. It was worth it. I got to ride that ride. Um, it would be nice to have some more ride photos available, but >> Well, and there's an issue with like it's so hard right now on the app. The Androids have an issue. Photo pass.
Yeah, >> it's annoy. You can't It's a mess.
>> Well, we bought ours in Texas and it wasn't even showing up. Like, it was telling her she had to buy another one.
>> I still pictures.
>> We went to guest services at the end of the day Sunday and the guy's like, "There's a problem. this and that and then she said then we explained it she had already bought it because none of her other pictures came up and and and when she get he got the one picture to come up on her phone it was still pixelated it said purchase now and it's like no I mean we already paid 50 and I think it's 35 it says in our we paid $50 for the photo pass in Texas for the whole season >> and he said you're gonna end up having to go to guest services we didn't do it that day because it was they were closed like we'll get over and hopefully they can get it figured out so we can get our other pictures back >> it's a mess >> but Yeah, they they know there's an issue. They they tell you almost right when you walk up. Oh, yeah.
>> I had heard somebody else say this that Hometown Fun Machine can't be your first ride.
I wonder if there are some rides because to try to balance out the wait time. So like somebody isn't doing >> hometown fun machine and then triple play for no wait and then walking right on to Max Force.
I don't know.
>> I don't know.
>> They didn't mention anything to us. I went up there and she like she looked at my thing, wrote my name down, said here you go. Maybe we'll have to >> I didn't get that at all.
>> So we Oh, and that was opening day.
Maybe that was just an opening day because I heard comments like that. I >> If no one We will follow up and find out if that was just >> I would get you said so they can't get right off and ride max force because there was no line for >> Yeah. But >> and the good news is is that uh Hometown Fun Machine was on a list of the ride closures and it opened up this last weekend.
>> Yay.
>> Yeah.
How could that have not been your first ride if it wasn't even operational?
>> Yeah, I know. Uh >> I know Goliath was on the the closed rides list and there was like no activity going on at all there this weekend that I could see. So hopefully it's not something that there's an issue.
>> Yeah. And we are getting a weekly um a weekly update on the website of what rides could be closed. A ride could close that's not on that, but a ride on that list, like I think Bob mentioned at one point that it could be on a list for a Friday and it could open up by Sunday.
So, it's I do like that openness of what might not be available as >> it is nice that they're putting that on the website.
>> Yeah. Ride closures.
>> I had it up on my >> um couple other like tech things that are a little glitchy or bring a friend for free. We don't see them in our benefits yet. They do exist. So, if you're wanting to use it and you are for sure that it is part of your pass and that you haven't used any, it will work. I've been told the guest relations can't see it on like they can't look and tell you confirm how many you have. So, you kind of like if you're prestige or diamond elite, it's two, right? It's two golden tickets, >> I think. So, and then VIP is four still.
I don't even think we ever had four. I think we only I think we were one and then went to two. I I have no idea. It's a lot. Um >> or we had four last year.
>> Oh man, we just kept having them added last year.
>> Also, with the with the app people, you notice a lot of people say, "Well, I'm not seeing this." You literally have to log out even after we went to the park like to to show your visits and stuff.
You have to log out again once you visited the park and log back in for it to show your visits. And they haven't like mentioned what all those like there's it's not like last year where they'd say like come four times and get there's nothing mentioned for what these visits >> Yeah.
>> I don't know why they're counting them.
I don't know if they're actually doing anything based on >> they just kind of do like a monthly list of discounts.
>> You get to own a piece of shockwave.
>> There were different ones. Some people got some people got what a 20% off of some sort of coupon. Like I got the buy one get one free bottle of water, a 10% food, and one other thing, but I seen other people say they had gotten a 20% off. I don't if it was merchandise or what they had gotten a different coupon than the >> Well, and are we supposed to be getting that $10 thing because we don't have St. Louis dining anymore or was that just >> St. Louis?
>> I think that's just St. St. Louis.
>> This is St. Louis. They got 10. No.
Well, St. Louis, they're getting their money back.
So, that's why I was confused on that.
So, they're getting their because St. Louis doesn't have dining anymore.
They're getting everything refunded.
So, Saturday when I was at Strutters and I was checking out, she said, "Oh, you get a free bottle of water.
Do you want it now or do you want it later?" And I said, "Well, I'll take it now." But then when we scanned JJ, she didn't offer me another bottle of water.
>> You just get one.
>> But I had two dining plans, two passes.
>> But it was supposed too. It's not >> It's supposed to be bogo buy one get one. Yeah. I saw somebody else comment too that they that they got told somewhere that they had a free bottle of water they didn't know about.
And I'm like, I thought it was a buy one get one.
>> You said it was the Dani water, right?
So I'm thinking that smaller bottle.
They gave me that big bottle of Smart Water.
>> Oh, wow.
>> Congratulations.
>> 100th customer.
>> I got very lucky Saturday.
>> That's why you didn't get another one.
>> So, I mean, I think our review is a lot of changes a foot, but a lot of hopefulness for a really great 50th. Um, the park is holding some surprises close to their their chest. I'm sure we'll be looking for that 50th anniversary paper hat, party hat.
That's going to be the big thing.
Any other What's What's everyone most excited for this season?
>> Merch. 50th anniversary. Yes.
>> And tell us in the comments, too. What are we most excited for?
>> I think merchant shows. Just see what they do for shows being >> they bring back some 50th anniversary food >> that's supposed to happen.
>> There could be >> house. I actually think so. Here's my This is just a Frightfest prediction. I think it'd be great if um when they go back to Frightfest to bring back one of the original areas like trolls or >> werewolves or you know something I think >> in the 70s.
>> Um but you know like in those first years of Frightfest >> Yeah. But that was back in what 1990.
But it'd be fun if they could, you know, recreate one of those areas.
>> Bring back the necropolis. Necropolis.
>> Having that walk through.
>> I'm very curious to see once the root beer stand opens up, what what is a root beer going for these days?
>> A nickel.
>> That sounds fine.
>> 6.99.
We're supposed to get um Well, we just like going to get all sorts of fun things, aren't we? Is a hot hot shop opening? That's what I want. I want the hot shot.
>> Oh, I would love the hot shop to open.
>> Bob, if you have a moment, could you talk about the Big Easy Balloons?
>> Yes, the Big Easy Balloons. I know that that we do have one of our members who's one of the favorite rides and I'm going to call him out because for the past season, season and a half claims was going to ride the Big Easy Balloons with me. It hasn't happened. I've been blown off every time. Hence, I have a photo of me like posed like this like >> maybe he needs to team up with that.
It's Latrina, right? I think it's like Trina like >> Trina.
>> Well, if they team up, maybe they can they'll find me.
>> It's a great idea.
>> I know she she's she she wants pins, too. So, if you know any run around, hey, Bob, we'd love for people to turn around.
>> How now? Our limited edition pins. They were going fast.
>> They are. Yeah, I got stopped by more people probably than I had before on Sunday to asking.
>> I will have to remember to put mine back in my bag because I took them out when I had to go on a plane and I did not want them confiscated by the TSA. Um, >> why do you have five?
>> Is it It was hard enough going through security and having to explain >> like those are pins and I almost didn't make it through because it was someone new and she's like pins. I'm like, "Oh, no. I give them out." And then somebody's like, "Oh, yeah. Yeah, she's good."
>> Um, but >> yeah, just those pins are they are limited. So once we are out of those, it's going to be back to our standard family.
>> And we have team members who are out already. Like Jamie, you you >> I got a lot, didn't you?
>> She got refilled.
>> Yep.
>> Oh, refilled. Okay.
>> And then I never got asked for one. So it was it was perfect.
>> I now have the 50th annivers that logo. I have it on a backpack.
Jamie has it on a backpack. Um, we do have a merch through Spreadshirt if you're ever looking to I love seeing the junkies shirts in the park because it's like, oh, junkie junkie.
>> And the nice thing about our shop, too, is you might see the logo and it might be, you know, similar to this where you might see it on the this side. I'm looking the camera so it's the opposite way, you know, where it's on the chest, but you can resize the logo. So, if you want it on the whole shirt, which I know Brent did with the t-shirt, it was on the on the chest and he made it, you know, more of the full shirt. And you can move the logo around. You can design the back. You can you can really lo >> you can change the color of the shirt.
>> Yes.
>> And we it gets shipped right to your home. Like we just they just >> it's our third party vendor. They collect they take your payment, they ship it to you.
We are hands off on the whole process.
>> Yep. We just That's what f funds are pins.
>> So if you want more, buy merch.
>> Buy the merch.
>> Check. Don't buy the merch without a sale. Check when they have a sale.
>> And it will tell you, right? If if we happen to forget to mention there's a sale running. When you go into the shop, it will tell you up on the little banner like saying, you know, 20% off until, you know, May 12th.
>> They run a sale like every three weeks.
>> Yeah. And it's again, we don't have control over that. That's strictly through them when they feel like dropping a sale. Um, sometimes it's percentage off, sometimes it's free shipping. Um, but yeah, keep an eye out for the the sales.
All right, we're at right under 130. I know this is always a big one when we're doing our reviews. Um, you know, bottom line, we are in a pre-season until that May 29th. Really think of that as as a as a big kickoff, Memorial Day as a kickoff. Uh, we're starting to see more and more daily operations. Yes, there will be lots of school buses. Yes, there will be a lot of uh eighth grade trips and high school trips. Um >> one more one more grad night.
>> One more grad night coming up Saturday, which is why you'll see again the park will close at 7:30 again on Saturday.
>> Lots of music in the parks, dance competitions coming up like that.
>> I mean, I think you're going to see a lot of uh in in this area, you know, don't assume. Are they using Grand Music Hall for the dance competitions?
>> No, I think >> No, they're dancing in a wilderness theater.
>> Okay. We had a had somebody who thought maybe they would be dancing in there.
So, >> um also like I know the park opens on Thursday and Friday around here. A lot of the high school seniors are done and uh a lot of them are planning to go. So, >> uh, you will >> don't assume because you think it's a school day that no one's going to be there. The objective of the park is to >> I would also not the park to still be fully staffed because not all schools are out and you're still going to have >> people who were in school not. So, >> well, Hector, didn't you say in Texas they were actually telling you that they weren't staffed?
>> They had signs.
>> They had signs saying, you know, we're we're short staffed. Some attractions will not open. We're still short staff.
Kids are still in school.
>> It it literally said our some of our staff is still in school and some attractions may not open.
>> It was very interesting there cuz even when they I know they announced an overhead in our park like if they have to close early >> the Saturday it was raining most of the morning they're like they said I close it too. They had people employees around the park just letting people know hey just so you know we'll be closing it. It was about an hour before they closed letting everybody know and telling people to go to guest services. They they were giving them a you know >> rain day ticket.
>> Yeah. arranged a ticket to come back another day and it was a little different.
>> All right.
>> And uh aside from sirloin instead of brisket, any other food changes we've seen?
>> Haven't really seen much new >> wise?
>> No, I haven't. I don't think >> something couldn't be aside.
>> I mean, the cinnamon pretzel isn't available right now. It will be soon.
>> Now, I know there's been a little bit of debate in Yukon over if fruit can be a side. I've been told by >> those above that yes, it is. But down at the the restaurant level, um I'm still getting some nos.
So, we'll see if that I'm assuming that's eventually going to pan out as a side because you can walk into strutters, get it as a side. You can go into steel works. It's a side.
>> So in steel works because they bought the spaghetti back. They just they're doing that instead of like whatever a specialty pasta whatever they had last year. Correct.
>> Yeah. We didn't say plain or spaghetti is back.
>> Huge.
>> Hallelujah.
>> Huge.
>> Including if you and it's not mixed this year. So if you have someone who's just wants the plain noodles noodles.
>> Yeah. They need some ketchup packets over there.
>> Now, I saw something interesting on was it opening weekend or second week?
Someone had did not they ordered the spaghetti with meatballs minus the the pasta and we're given a bowl of meatballs.
>> You can do that.
>> I've ordered before when we used to share a meal plan. Say, "Can I have the meatballs and sauce on the side?" And then the picky eaters would sit there on the, you know, >> the noodles.
>> Yeah. And just so you know, by us saying the spaghetti is back, it is a normalsized portion of spaghetti. Long gone are the days of as much as they can pile in. You're not going to see that.
>> It's not a family portion, >> which that was food waste. See, that is legit. Like when we had bigger portions for like that no one could eat that's food waste and so it is spaghetti like for a a person >> per one >> per one >> one and a half I don't know >> yeah even the rocksa nachos are have gone on size I mean when it used to be the JB's nachos those were >> oh my god huge >> yeah we don't need like >> I think we even like me and shared one time, we still couldn't finish it. It was ridiculous how much >> I know people love some people loved it because they could feed their whole family on it. But I >> that's not the point.
>> It wasn't the intention. Yeah, it's >> right.
>> And when you're they're having to build the nachos because they have >> But the Roshasa nachos still have the white queso. Correct.
>> I have not I only had them once last year.
>> Cheese. It's the yellow or the yellow the yellow cheese >> with the ground beef, >> right? You want the white cheese, go to Macho Nachos. Those are the to me.
>> If you're like me and you always >> you just like the chips with the queso, you can order um without any of the other stuff. I just want the chips and the queso.
>> And it is early season. So before we see if you if you're looking for like chopsticks or macho nacho, make that your first meal of the day because chances are later in the day you may not >> get it.
>> Yep.
>> Rule of thumb is to plan for restaurants to close two hours before park close even though most will be open until 1, >> right? So if you want the specialty stuff, make that your first meal. That way you can, you know.
>> Yeah. And um >> like Yukon, they have to smoke the meat.
>> Like how many hours before?
>> Oh, it's like >> 12.
>> The night before probably. So yeah, once something's gone, they can't make more that day. It's gone.
>> They can't just say, "Oh, let me make some more." They do run out.
>> You know, you see a lot of events that have or food trucks that that's how they do with food trucks. They have so much barbecue for the day. When it's gone, it's gone. They mark off, "Okay, we're out of this."
>> And that's also something they don't want food waste, so they're not going to like >> Yeah. And it's same thing if you go into any of, you know, your your local barbecue joints, they do run out of food, too.
>> You can only so much.
>> Yeah, that's a great example.
>> Like the kindest kindest.
>> Just >> just keep that in mind. Like, you know, again, it is raining season. Sometimes if it's if it's not real busy, sometimes some things close early, too, because they don't, you know, they can't just keep staff there.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. We have some people that said the rock chasa nachos were delicious.
Sirloin was delicious. I have not tried the sirloin yet.
>> I'm just not a beef person. Um, yeah, that's when I when we have a our dining if you stay within our dining optimization, you will not miss a meal because we have accounted for I think on that account said if you get in line two and a half hours, you are guarant you can get both of your meals. So, if you stay within those guidelines, you'll have no problem. If you go outside of it, then you're going to be limited in your choices if you're getting that second meal later.
>> Our new game plan is to just go in hungry, eat first, and then go ride.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Because then you've got that the four hours clicks off and then you can EDM when you're you're you're hungry or grab something any at any point after that four hours. Whereas, >> you know, if the park's only open to 6:00 and you're walking in at, you know, 12, you're kind of limited when that's you're going to get that second meal.
So, >> and I don't know who we have to beg for this, but please put in the app somewhere when I ordered my food because I'm not saving that receipt. I've resorted to taking a picture of my receipt so that I can say, "Okay, I ate at, you know, 124, so I can go back at And I know at at you know at the register they can scan it'll tell you what time you got your last meal but when you're in like uh Windy City or I mean when you're in like Strutter not yeah Strutters Steel Works or in uh Yukon you know your cafeteria you get all your food before you get to the register and then they're like >> they scan you know if you're a few minutes off and you're sitting there with your food getting cold while you wait. I mean >> it it'd be nice if there was a way to find out quicker. It'd be nice if they have something you could just scan your pass on some kind of thing where it could tell you when >> like Chuck-E-Cheese when I need to know how many tickets I have.
>> Yeah. Kirk, are we keeping you awake?
>> Sorry, I'm like gotta go out back out to your car.
>> Gota go back.
Oh, >> any other questions from the folks in the chat who've uh stuck with us the hour and 40 minutes we've been going at it.
>> We thank you for that.
>> Yeah, we thank you for that.
>> Questions um you add more questions and we can you know do an inquiry and the worst that we'll be told is we don't have there's no information on that. But sometimes when we ask, you know, we get questions from the group, we just put in an inquiry and get it. Sometimes we get official answers.
All right. I don't think Well, I know there's a little bit of delay from us talking to actually I'm seeing. So, give it a couple seconds here. See if anything pops up.
>> You can always put them in the comments later. Elm Michelle wants a good salad when she's here. The Windy City salad, it I know it looked rough the first weekend, but when I had it, they made some improvements. The important thing to remember >> is they're going to bring out the ranch, you can ask for balsamic. So, >> uh, what I found out too is when I ordered it, um, not last week, and the weekend before, I just asked if I could order balsamic at the register and they brought that out without me asking. I will say >> I tried I tried that and was told that they again new person they said they were only locate that ranch button. I'm like that's fine. I'll ask for the basic when it comes out and >> totally fine.
I'm so because it's like it's spring greens and then to put the balsamic it's so nice and light and um but I do think maybe it's time to think about similar to how strutdders has the condiments you know self serve maybe we don't need the labor of somebody walking delivering the food and then asking what you want and coming back with the three packets of ketchup and the thing of ranch And like >> yes, >> it's it's it's >> give them an >> it's a nice thought, but it also like it wastes a lot of time.
>> It needs to be like strutters where you can just go up and help yourself to ketchup or ranch or whatever you'd like.
>> Yeah.
>> Now, for those who remember way back in the day in the food court, they used to have a toppings bar.
>> Yep.
>> They sure did.
your lettuce tomatoes and >> everything for your for your uh >> they were around the they were kind of >> for your flame broil burgers which were delicious.
>> Oh, they filled the topping bars.
>> Yep.
Maybe for the 50th, >> right?
>> That'd be great.
>> Did they have like onions and um >> a little bit of everything?
>> Oh.
>> Oh, yeah. You could definitely you could find your onions back then.
>> That's nice. You could still cut your onions.
>> And people And people didn't cry about onions back then either.
>> Onions make everyone cry. Just cut one.
>> I know. I know.
>> That'd be nice. Just a little topping bar with >> pickles.
>> Well, I'm going to get back to reading so I don't flunky out of my my class.
>> All right. Well, thanks for uh joining.
And any more questions, leave them in the comments. Create a post on the page.
You know, again, if we don't know the answer, we can make an inquiry and to try to get the answer and we're not guaranteed a response.
>> Worst that we can be told is we don't have any information.
>> We don't have any information. That's classified.
Um, so yeah. Well, thanks for joining us.
>> Thank you.
>> Goodbye, everybody.
He didn't he didn't bail on
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